Warehouse Forklift Maintenance
Having a proper maintenance program for forklifts will help to increase the lifespan of the machinery and is also a vital factor to the safe use of the machine. Completing regular forklift inspections and doing preventive maintenance regularly will help to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the machinery.
Daily Checklist
In any forklift maintenance program, the daily checklist is an invaluable tool to have. These checklists will document any possible issues. They are required by the OSHA or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The daily checklists can also be audited by OSHA during any routine inspection. Operators are required to complete the inspection from the start of their shift. If any major issues are found, the forklift can not be used until the problem has been fixed.
Maintenance and Safety Go Hand-in-Hand
In the US, there are approximately one hundred deaths related to forklift mishaps and statistic show that almost 20,000 people are seriously injured as well. This number translates to represent 54 people per day, 7 days a week, for the entire year. A lot of these mishaps could be easily prevented if the forklift had been correctly maintained and serviced. In some circumstances, it may seem like a cost savings to skip or delay routine maintenance, although, these savings would pale in comparison to the cost of one accident.
Things to be Serviced
In the owner's instruction manual of every machine, the manufacturer will include a maintenance schedule. These schedules would vary greatly, depending on the manufacturer and the kind of machinery. Every schedule will consist of various basic things. Like for instance, in a combustion engine, the oil filters and the engine oil should be periodically replaced. Hydraulic levels must be inspected also. Be sure to inspect hoses for any indications of cracking. Other items involve the electrical systems, the brakes and the transmission of the forklift.